Afro-Colombian Culture & Community in Buenaventura
Reports from Other Continents
Buenaventura is located in Colombia's southern Pacific Coast. The city is not only located in one of the most impactful economic regions in the country, but also hosts one of Colombia’s most important and active harbours. Because of its legacy of slave trade during colonial times, the region’s population is mostly Afro-Colombian. Despite the wealth this city produces, Buenaventura's population suffers from poverty: most of its inhabitants lack basic services like water, health, and education. Levels of corruption and violence are high. People here live in the midst of confrontation between different armed groups who are competing for the control of drug trafficking routes. Despite all these problems, this town is brimming with rich cultural and artistic expressions. Song and dance can be found literally anywhere. For Buenaventura's communities, artistic expression is a powerful tool for transforming social and economic problems into songs, grooves, flows, and beautiful moves.
A film by Marimbea.
